Another monoteam, another lame title, but here is the second monoteam, as promised, Pulsing Poison, a team based entirely around poison pokemon. It's also all UU, but I tend to play it OU. Sorry if the intros a little light, I prefer to talk about the strategy once you know what does what.
So, without further ado, the obligatory at a glance:
PULSING POISON!!!
Excited yet? Well prepare for detailed analysis time!
Venomoth - Wide Lens - Shield Dust
HP 252 - SpD 4 - Spe 252 - Timid
Sleep Powder
Agility
Baton Pass
Stun Spore
Why Venomoth?
In the early stages of designing this team three obvious candidates leapt out to me as possible lead, Venomoth, Crobat and Roserade. After then deciding that I wanted a team capable of playing UU, Crobat was eliminated. It was then Venomoth or Roserade, and after looking at the decent sweepers of the poison type, who begged for a speed boost, Venomoth's ability to eliminate a lead's threat with Sleep Powder, allowing a free Agility seemed too good to pass up. Besides that, they were also the poison types most competent special sweepers, and in that area Roserade is better than Venomoth, so that's what it got.
Why the moveset?
As previously pointed out, Sleep Powder usually eliminates a foe off the bat, if only in a temporary guise. Also to avoid the miss chance, I decided on the hold item Wide Lens to help the plan get off without a hitch. Agility and Baton Pass are self explanotory, really, and it helps that most opponent try a move like Stealth Rock on the Baton Pass turn, allowing my sweepers entry unscathed (most of these Stealth Rockers are slower than Venomoth). It needed a plan B if things went awry, and this is Stun Spore, which allows it to spread some Paralysis about, which can be invaluable late game. On a side note, the HP EVs have seen it survive many a Stone Edge from common leads, usually meaning a second chance for Sleep Powder, which I hopefully won't need.
In the early stages of designing this team three obvious candidates leapt out to me as possible lead, Venomoth, Crobat and Roserade. After then deciding that I wanted a team capable of playing UU, Crobat was eliminated. It was then Venomoth or Roserade, and after looking at the decent sweepers of the poison type, who begged for a speed boost, Venomoth's ability to eliminate a lead's threat with Sleep Powder, allowing a free Agility seemed too good to pass up. Besides that, they were also the poison types most competent special sweepers, and in that area Roserade is better than Venomoth, so that's what it got.
Why the moveset?
As previously pointed out, Sleep Powder usually eliminates a foe off the bat, if only in a temporary guise. Also to avoid the miss chance, I decided on the hold item Wide Lens to help the plan get off without a hitch. Agility and Baton Pass are self explanotory, really, and it helps that most opponent try a move like Stealth Rock on the Baton Pass turn, allowing my sweepers entry unscathed (most of these Stealth Rockers are slower than Venomoth). It needed a plan B if things went awry, and this is Stun Spore, which allows it to spread some Paralysis about, which can be invaluable late game. On a side note, the HP EVs have seen it survive many a Stone Edge from common leads, usually meaning a second chance for Sleep Powder, which I hopefully won't need.
Toxicroak - Focus Sash - Anticipation
HP 4 - Att 252 - Spe 252 - Adamant
Swords Dance
Cross Chop
Stone Edge
Sucker Punch
Why Toxicroak?
When you look at the Poison type, you see an incredible amount of walling potential. Unfortunately, most of the type's sweepers are seldom first choice, with good reason, attacking stats and speed are usually above average stats at best. Still, you work with what you're given, but since Poison type walls are more common, I decided to have only two sweepers, one special, one physical, and with as diverse a moveset as Toxicroak has, with Swords Dance to boot, it seems like an obvious choice, not to mention a perfect target for an Agility Pass.
Why the moveset?
Since Toxicroak is supposed to be out before any entry traps are laid, Focus Sash seemed plausible, making Swords Dance an enticing proposition, not to mention the speed boost passed on by Venomoth giving a huge hand in a successful sweep. With Cross Chop you have powerful STAB damage which, after a Swords Dance, has great sweeping potential, 2HKOing anything which is fortunate enough to survive the initial blow. Stone Edge provides some great coverage, and Sucker Punch not only supplies neutral damage to anything whch resists the other two, it offers more accuracy than its other moves, not to mention useful priority damage.
When you look at the Poison type, you see an incredible amount of walling potential. Unfortunately, most of the type's sweepers are seldom first choice, with good reason, attacking stats and speed are usually above average stats at best. Still, you work with what you're given, but since Poison type walls are more common, I decided to have only two sweepers, one special, one physical, and with as diverse a moveset as Toxicroak has, with Swords Dance to boot, it seems like an obvious choice, not to mention a perfect target for an Agility Pass.
Why the moveset?
Since Toxicroak is supposed to be out before any entry traps are laid, Focus Sash seemed plausible, making Swords Dance an enticing proposition, not to mention the speed boost passed on by Venomoth giving a huge hand in a successful sweep. With Cross Chop you have powerful STAB damage which, after a Swords Dance, has great sweeping potential, 2HKOing anything which is fortunate enough to survive the initial blow. Stone Edge provides some great coverage, and Sucker Punch not only supplies neutral damage to anything whch resists the other two, it offers more accuracy than its other moves, not to mention useful priority damage.
Roserade - Life Orb - Natural Cure
HP 4 - SpA 252 - Spe 252
Leaf Storm
Sludge Bomb
Sleep Powder
Aromatherapy
Why Roserade?
As previously stated, the best two special options in the type are this and Venomoth, and both are leads. Since Roserade is the better sweeper, and stat boosts are invaluable to the sweepers, especially the physical ones, Roserade was forced into a mixed role of sweeper and healer, due to it's powerful Special Attack stat, and it's moveset, as Aromatherapy can change the tide of a battle.
Why the moveset?
Leaf Storm is a great move, which, although crippling Roserade into switching, is the move which kills nearly anything the rest of the team can't deal with, and since it comes in when the team needs help, it fits well into a utility role with Aromatherapy cleaning the team to top condition (in status at least), which is useful against paralysis abusing opponents late game. Its other utility move Sleep Powder supplies another pokemon crippling move. Sludge Bomb fills it the last slot neatly, helping to OHKO pesky Breloom, to mention just one threat. Life Orb gives it a boost in the offensive.
As previously stated, the best two special options in the type are this and Venomoth, and both are leads. Since Roserade is the better sweeper, and stat boosts are invaluable to the sweepers, especially the physical ones, Roserade was forced into a mixed role of sweeper and healer, due to it's powerful Special Attack stat, and it's moveset, as Aromatherapy can change the tide of a battle.
Why the moveset?
Leaf Storm is a great move, which, although crippling Roserade into switching, is the move which kills nearly anything the rest of the team can't deal with, and since it comes in when the team needs help, it fits well into a utility role with Aromatherapy cleaning the team to top condition (in status at least), which is useful against paralysis abusing opponents late game. Its other utility move Sleep Powder supplies another pokemon crippling move. Sludge Bomb fills it the last slot neatly, helping to OHKO pesky Breloom, to mention just one threat. Life Orb gives it a boost in the offensive.
Venasaur - Black Sludge - Overgrow
HP 252 - Def 4 - SpD 252 - Calm
Giga Drain
Leech Seed
Synthesis
Light Screen
Why Venasaur?
When choosing my walls, I drew upon inspiration from one of my friends on Shoddy, bluexp (sorry if I made a mistake in the name there!), who uses the sheer bulkiness of a wall as the first line of defense. Inspired by this, I looked for walls capable of this, who specialized in an area. And, Venasaur struck out at me as a possible special wall - especially having been walled by bluexp's Meganium several times before. I set about making Venasaur in that template, high Special Defense and HP to provide bulk, and as many healing moves which cause damage as possible. And when it comes to the Poison type, no-one can do that better than Venasaur.
Why the moveset?
On a special attacker, Light Screen can be a bane, and when combined with Leech Seed, Venasaur's an insurmountable object. Giga Drain simply adds to the bulk, whilst whittling down more of the opponents HP. Synthesis allows it to wall out even some fire type users if burned or Leech Seeded. Black Sludge also adds bulkiness, and there isn't any need to fear Tricksters in a mono Poison team either, causing possible damage out of an annoyance.
When choosing my walls, I drew upon inspiration from one of my friends on Shoddy, bluexp (sorry if I made a mistake in the name there!), who uses the sheer bulkiness of a wall as the first line of defense. Inspired by this, I looked for walls capable of this, who specialized in an area. And, Venasaur struck out at me as a possible special wall - especially having been walled by bluexp's Meganium several times before. I set about making Venasaur in that template, high Special Defense and HP to provide bulk, and as many healing moves which cause damage as possible. And when it comes to the Poison type, no-one can do that better than Venasaur.
Why the moveset?
On a special attacker, Light Screen can be a bane, and when combined with Leech Seed, Venasaur's an insurmountable object. Giga Drain simply adds to the bulk, whilst whittling down more of the opponents HP. Synthesis allows it to wall out even some fire type users if burned or Leech Seeded. Black Sludge also adds bulkiness, and there isn't any need to fear Tricksters in a mono Poison team either, causing possible damage out of an annoyance.
Weezing - Black Sludge - Levitate
HP 252 - Att 252 - Def 252 - Impish
Will-o-wisp
Substitute
Curse
Payback
Why Weezing?
When you make a monoteam it goes without saying you look at the pokemon who eliminate your weaknesses, so from day one Weezing and Drapion were no brainers (although Skuntank was another viable candidate). Handily, both offer physical resistance to compliment Venasaur. The only question with Weezing, is what set?
Why the moveset?
After asking myself how Weezing would work best, I noticed Curse, and realised that I could put his staggering bulk into attack. Will-o-wisp is key in helping Curse getting to the point of abuse. Against a physical opponent, a Substitute can be helpful in avoiding status and critical hits, as well as scouting a switch in, and taking a special attack if needs be. Although Weezing dosen't have many physical options, Payback is an obvious choice, since this Weezing's gameplan is taking hits and buiding up power. Black Sludge once more provides healing and bulk. Behind a sub, with 2-6 curses, Black Sludge can sometimes heal beyond the substitutes cost.
When you make a monoteam it goes without saying you look at the pokemon who eliminate your weaknesses, so from day one Weezing and Drapion were no brainers (although Skuntank was another viable candidate). Handily, both offer physical resistance to compliment Venasaur. The only question with Weezing, is what set?
Why the moveset?
After asking myself how Weezing would work best, I noticed Curse, and realised that I could put his staggering bulk into attack. Will-o-wisp is key in helping Curse getting to the point of abuse. Against a physical opponent, a Substitute can be helpful in avoiding status and critical hits, as well as scouting a switch in, and taking a special attack if needs be. Although Weezing dosen't have many physical options, Payback is an obvious choice, since this Weezing's gameplan is taking hits and buiding up power. Black Sludge once more provides healing and bulk. Behind a sub, with 2-6 curses, Black Sludge can sometimes heal beyond the substitutes cost.
Drapion - Life Orb - Battle Armor
HP 252 - Def 252 - Spe 4 - Adamant
Swords Dance
Crunch
Earthquake
Brick Break
Why Drapion?
As I previously noted, Psychic immunity made Drapion a neccesity, and due to it's high defense seemed a competent wall. However, outside of phazing, its walling ability is limited. But due to its natural bulk and typing, I continue to consider it a wall, as out of all of my pokemon, it is probably the most reliable switch in I have. Besides that, between this guy and Weezing, just about any oh so common Swords Dancer or Dragon Dancer can be neutralised efficently.
Why the moveset?
Since it does not have defensive moves, I decided it could soak up attacks whilst Swords Dance sweeping. Crunch is the quintessential STAB damage, whilst Earthquake and Brick Break supply suitable type coverage. Life Orb, along with the nature, allowed me to make Drapion bulky, as well as powerful. Drapion also serves as an Agility pass target, usually in the form of a late game sweeper.
As I previously noted, Psychic immunity made Drapion a neccesity, and due to it's high defense seemed a competent wall. However, outside of phazing, its walling ability is limited. But due to its natural bulk and typing, I continue to consider it a wall, as out of all of my pokemon, it is probably the most reliable switch in I have. Besides that, between this guy and Weezing, just about any oh so common Swords Dancer or Dragon Dancer can be neutralised efficently.
Why the moveset?
Since it does not have defensive moves, I decided it could soak up attacks whilst Swords Dance sweeping. Crunch is the quintessential STAB damage, whilst Earthquake and Brick Break supply suitable type coverage. Life Orb, along with the nature, allowed me to make Drapion bulky, as well as powerful. Drapion also serves as an Agility pass target, usually in the form of a late game sweeper.
I don't know about you, but I'm glad that's over with.
Strategy wise, the team starts by hopefully taking the momentum, using Venomoth and Toxicroak in combination to eliminate the opponent team's Poison counters, as well as hopefully denting any walls that Toxicroak faces. After Toxicroak, Weezing or Venasur are deployed accordingly, and switched depending on whether an opponent is physical or special, hopefully catching switches with Will-o-wisp or Leech Seed. If status becomes a problem, then Roserade is brought into the fray. Roserade can also unlock stalemate situations involving the team's walls. If I expect Sleep Powder coming my way, I switch to Roserade, and switch out, activating Natural Cure. If I feel I can set it up, I send Venomoth back in, to hopefully pass to Drapion, who then goes on a sweep, hopefully.
That, in a nutshell, is the team strategy. I hope you've enjoyed this RMT, and if so check out my mono electric team, and look out for more monoteams, as I attempt to cater for every type!
That, in a nutshell, is the team strategy. I hope you've enjoyed this RMT, and if so check out my mono electric team, and look out for more monoteams, as I attempt to cater for every type!
